Self-propelled partition assembly



1966 R. c. GOSSLING 3,289,741

SELF-PROPELLED PARTITION ASSEMBLY Filed Nov. 24, 1964 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 ATTOR NEY Dec. 6, 1966 R. c. caossumca 3,289,741

SELF-PROPELLED PARTITION ASSEMBLY Filed Nov. 24, 1964 r 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Hmm ATTORNEY Dec. 1966 R c. sossuws 3,289,741

SELF-PROPELLED PARTITION ASSEMBLY Filed Nov. 24, 1964 v 5 Sheets-Sheet INVENTUR 14 05597 (HRH (t 6055Z/I/6 ATTORNEY United States Patent Office 3,289,74il Patented Dec. 6, 1966 3,289,741 SELF-PRGPELLED PARTITION ASSEMBLY Robert Clarence Gossling, Cincinnati, (thin, assignor, by memo assignments, to Toriesen, linc., Brooklyn, N.Y., a corporation of New York Filed Nov. 24, 1964, er. No. 413,449 7 Ciaims. (Cl. 160-188) This invention relates to a door assembly and more particularly to a propulsion system for an accordion door or the like.

Still more part cularly, this invention relates to a selfprop-elled accordion door or the like having a novel propulsion system therefor wherein the means for propelling the door are carried by the door itself, and particularly by the lead post of the door.

In the usual accordion or other collapsible and extensible door structure, movement of the door from the stored or collapsed position to the extended or partitioning position is effected by manually grasping the lead post and walking the door to the desired position. It is known further, particularly in the case of heavy doors, to employ motorized means for shifting the doors as desired, such motorized means generally including a motor fixed to some part of the door frame structure, and a draw cable assembly linking the motor to a leading portion of the door. While such motorized structures are useful, particularly in applications wherein the movement of the door will constitute merely a linear translatory movement, such systems are not adapted to effect opening or closing of door structures which are mounted on curved tracks, for instance. Also, such cable driven motorized units are not useful with movable doors which are equipped with tracks having switching arrangements whereby a particular door may be sent on alternate paths, depending upon the switch setting.

Further, the cable draw door systems heretofore known have the disadvantage of requiring considerable clearance spaces for the moving cable and its supportive structure, the said systems being expensive to install and additionally needing frequent adjustment and lubrication.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a self-propelled door assembly of the accordion or folding panel type wherein the propulsion unit is carried by the door asembly itself.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a novel door assembly having a self-contained propulsion unit carried in the lead post.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a novel accordion door assembly having a propulsion unit carried by the movable door parts, the system being adapted for movement along curved tracks and across switching arrangements.

Still a further object of the invention is the provision of a propulsion system for accordion doors which is of simple and rugged construction, and which is resistant to breakdown, notwithstanding long and arduous usage.

Still a further object of the invention is the provision of a self-propelled door assembly including a motorized propulsion system in the lead post of the door, having novel drive means to interact with a toothed portion formed on the mounting track for the doors.

Still a further object of the invention is the provision of a drive means for linking, for relative movement, a toothed track with a propulsion system housed in the lead post of a door, the drive means having the advantage of non-critically interfitting parts so that irregularities in the relative position of the door and track may be accommodated without interruption of the door movement.

A further object of the invention is the provision of an extensible door and propulsion system wherein the propulsive force exerted between the door and the stationary frame is spread over an extended area, so that strain on any increment of the drive mechanism is minimized.

Still a further object of the invention is the provision of a self-propelled partition of the type described, wherein an extended length of a driven chain carried by the door is simultaneously meshed with a series of stationary drive portions regularly spaced along a partition supporting track, such device having the advantage of being able to straddle, and hence to traverse, interrupted track sections.

To attain these objects and such further objects as may appear herein or be hereinafter pointed out, I make reference to the accompanying drawings, forming a part thereof, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a front elevational view of a pair of accordion type door assemblies embodying the novel propulsion mechanism;

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary schematic plan view of a door assembly in accordance with FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a magnified vertical section taken on the line 33 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is a section taken on the line 4-4 of FIG- URE 3;

FIGURE 5 is a schematic wiring diagram.

In accordance with the invention, there is shown in FIGURE 1, a so-called accordion folding door D of known type, having a flexible covering or skin supported on a collapsible framework. Optionally but preferably, the framework consists of upper and lower crossed lazy tong links connected by the usual midway and end pintles.

The specific structure of the folding door per se forms no part of the present invention and, accordingly, no further description thereof is required, it being understood merely that the door may be extended along a supportive track structure and, alternatively, may be collapsed for storage.

The door D rides on a longitudinally extended track member 2i)see FIGURE -4-fastened to the horizontally disposed door frame forming member 21. In the illustrated embodiment, the track member 20 is in the general configuration of an inverted U, comprising a horizontally disposed branch portion 22 having downwardly directed leg portions 23, 24. The lower ends of the leg portions 23, 24 are turned inwardly to provide horizontal support shoulders 25, 26, respectively, defining therebetween a clearance slot 27 for the hanger assemblies 28 fixed to the skeleton of the accordion folding door.

The propulsion system in the illustrated embodiment is housed within the lead post 30 of the door assembly, the

said lead post being preferably formed of extruded aluminum or the like.

Within the lead post 36 and preferably adjacent an upper portion thereof, there is supported a drive motor M, the said motor being mounted by bolts 31 to the horizontal component 32 of a right angle bracket 33, a vertical leg 34 of which is welded or otherwise fastened to a reinforcing member 35, made fast to a vertical extending wall 36 of the lead post 30see FIGURE 3.

The motor M is preferably of the single phase, reversible type having a common lead C, a forward lead F and a reverse lead R, it being understood that where power is applied between the leads C and F the motor rotates in one direction, a reverse rotation being effected when the power is applied between the leads C and R.

The drive shaft 46 of the motor M optionally but preferably drives one element of a centrifugal clutch 41, the clutch 41 being calculated to couple the drive shaft 49 and the clutch output shaft 42 after the motor reaches a predetermined speed.

As best seen in FIGURE 4, the output shaft 42 is rotatably mounted within an anti-friction bushing 43, press fit or otherwise supported within an aperture 44 formed in a transmission housing 45 of which the reinforcing member 35 forms a part.

The shaft 42 is preferably journalled in spaced bushings 46, 46 supported in the housing 45 in a manner similar to the bushing 43. A worm 47 is keyed to the shaft 42 for rotation therewith. Additionally keyed to the shaft 42 is bevel gear 48 meshed with a drive bevel gear 49 journalled in bushing 50, the axis of rotation of the bevel gear 49 being normal to the axis of rotation of the shaft 42. The bevel gear 49 is mounted on a stub shaft 51, hollowed at its outer end to provide a drive socket 52. As best seen from FIGURE 4, the socket 52 is accessible through aperture 53 formed in the face plate P.

It will be observed from the foregoing that in the event of failure of the motor M and for emergency use, rotation may be applied to the shaft 42 by an appropriate drive tool mating with the drive socket 52 and insertible through the aperture 53.

Wonn 47 meshes with a drive gear 60 carried on horizontally disposed cross shaft 61, the outer ends of which cross shaft are suitably rotatably mounted in anti-friction means carried by the housing 45. Drive sprocket 62 is likewise keyed to the shaft 61 for common rotation with gear 60.

The housing 45 optionally but preferably includes an integral extension 63 directed upwardly above the topmost edge of the door, which extension carries the usual guide roller assembly 64. The extension 63 passes through slot 27 defined between the support shoulders 26 and 25 of the track assembly. The guide rail assem bly 64 includes laterally spaced apart pairs of rollers 65, 66, riding atop the shoulders 25, 26, respectively, to provide the desired translatory movement.

In the illustrated embodiment, the shoulder portion 25 includes a downwardly directed rack member 67 which extends longitudinally along substantially the entire length of the track. The rack 67, which may be formed integrally with, or may be fastened to, the track assembly, includes a plurality of downwardly directed tooth members 63 extending toward and in proximate spaced relation to the uppermost edge of the door assembly. A drive chain 70 is meshed with the drive sprocket 62 and, additionally, passes over horizontally spaced apart idler sprockets 71, 72. The idler sprockets are rotatably mounted on cross shafts 73, 74, respectivelysee FIG- URE 3said shafts extending transversely across and being supported by the housing 45.

As will be best appreciated from FIGURE 3, the idler sprockets are spaced from the rack member 67 a distance providing clearance for the drive chain 70, the sprockets and rack teeth being sufficiently close to prevent any slippage or disengagement of the chain from the rack.

From the foregoing description, it will be appreciated that when the motor M is energized, either forwardly or rearwardly, the rotation will be communicated through clutch 41 to output shaft 42 after the motor reaches a predetermined speed. When the shaft 42 and worm 47 are rotated, gear 60, which is meshed with the said worm, will likewise be rotated and will drive the cross shaft 61 carrying drive sprocket 62. Rotation of the drive sprocket 62 will be communicated to the chain 70 and, by reason of the meshed engagement of the uppermost portion of the chain 70 with a plurality of rack teeth 68, driving movement applied to the chain will result in a translatory movement of the lead post with respect to the track.

It is an important feature of the invention that by reason of the horizontal spacing of the idler sprockets, a considerable number of the links of chain 70 are simultaneously meshed \With a plurality of teeth 68 of the rack 67. It will thus be seen that the driving force is spread along a length of chain rather than being absorbed by a single link and tooth. The importance of thus distributing the driving stresses over a length of chain will be realized in particular where switching means are provided to enable the door structure to be shifted to, and traverse selectively, one of a plurality of track members.

In effecting such switching, the curved track portions are, in the usual manner, selectively shifted into end abutting position with respect to a main track section. It will be evident that in any such switching arrangement, it will be difiicult to maintain the track ends in precise abutting relationship.

The presence of clearance spaces between the two track sections presents no significant obstacle for a hand propelled door assembly. However, it will be recognized that in a motor propelled assembly, the existence of a gap between the track sections might provide an area at which no driving connection is present between the track and the door. By providing an extended length of chain in driving connection between the track and the door, the device of the present invention assures that notwithstanding imperfect track connections, a smooth traverse movement of the door across switching arrangements is assured.

Referring now to FIGURE 5, I have shown a schematic circuit for operating the device of the present invention wherein there is provided an ON-OFF switch which is preferably of the key operated type, to prevent actuation by unauthorized persons. One input power line 81 is directly connected to the common or C line of motor M. Switch input line 82 is connected in series through the key switch 80 and fuse 83 and thence to single pole, double throw forward and reverse switch 84.

As will be readily perceived from FIGURE 5, switch 84 may be operated after the switch 86 is closed, to comrnunicate power line 82 selectively with contact 85 leading to line F, or contact 86 leading to line R. It will be understood, as seen from FIGURE 1, that switches S0 and 84 are preferably carried by operating plate 87 located near the lower portion of the lead post of the door, so that the door may be operated by turning switch 84 to the desired position and maintaining the same in said position while walking alongside the door.

As a safeguard against over-extension or over-compression of the door assembly, there are provided on the lead post, normally closed limit switches 83, 9b, in lines F and R, respectively. An outer limit switch operator member 91 (FIGURE 4) in the form of a cam or a roller is mounted to the member 21 in the path of the limit switch 89 and opens the switch 89 as the door reaches its most extended position. it will be understood that an inner limit switch actuator cam (not shown) is carried by the member 21 in a position to open switch 90 when the door reaches its fully collapsed condition.

It will be observed from FIGURE 5 that the retraction of the doors, operating to open switch 96 while preventing any further retractile movement of the doors through the operation of switch 84, will not prevent a closing movement of the doors.

While in the illustrated embodiment I have shown a track having a rack member fixed thereto which includes teeth directed toward the door member for engagement with the drive chain, it will be readily recognized that the chain may incorporate toothed portions which extend into apertures defined by the track or by a structure adjacent the track. Accordingly the invention is to be broadly construed within the scope of the appended claims.

Electrical power may be transmitted to the lead post by a sliding commutator arrangement, by an extensible cable connector, or by any other suitable means.

I have found that by employing a Mr H.P. motor, a 20 foot per minute speed of movement may be imparted to an accordion folding partition structure weighing about 5000 pounds. It will be appreciated that the above noted values are illustrative only and are not to be taken in a limitative sense.

I have further determined that in the case of particularly high doors, there is a tendency for the lead post to assume an inclined attitude, with the upper end of the post leading the lower end. To nullify this tendency, it may be desirable to employ a thrust roller or rollers biased against the undersurface of the track.

While the illustrated embodiment employs a centrifugal clutch interposed between the motor and the drive mechanism, it will be appreciated that no clutch at all is required, and that other types of clutches may be suitably employed.

Having thus described the invention and illustrated its use, what is claimed as new and is desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. A foldable door assembly comprising a track, an accordion door member mounted for translator-y movement along said track between extended and contracted positions, said member having a lead post, motor means mounted in said lead post, regularly spaced tooth members formed on said track, drive means operatively connected to said motor means, said drive means including a chain link in driving relationship with said motor means and with a plurality of teeth of said track, and idler sprocket means carried by said lead post for supporting a discrete length of chain in meshed relation with said teeth, whereby a plurality of links of said chain are simultaneously engaged with a plurality of teeth.

2. A motorized folding door assembly comprising a track, folding door means supported on said track for translatory movement, a lead post on said door means, motor means mounted to said lead post, drive means on said lead post, speed reducer means operatively connecting said motor means and drive means, a multiplicity of regularly spaced teeth formed along substantially the entire length of said track, a pair of horizontally spaced apart idler sprockets in proximate relation to the tooth portions of said track and a chain flight supported on said idler sprockets in meshed relation with a plurality of teeth of said track, said chain flight being connected in driving relation with said speed reducing means, and switch means for operating said motor selectively to drive said chain in a desired direction along said track.

3. A self-propelled accordion folding door assembly comprising a track having guide surfaces and having a continuous toothed rack portion extending longitudinally of said track, an accordion door assembly having antifriction means supported on the guide surfaces of said track, a lead post in said door assembly, motor means including a speed reducer mounted on said lead post and power transmission means operatively connecting said motor means and the toothed portions of said track, said transmission means including a drive sprocket connected with said motor means, a pair of idler sprockets horizontally spaced apart in proximate relation to said rack and a chain flight meshed with said drive sprocket, idler sprockets and a plurality of the teeth of said rack portion.

4. A self-powerized partition adapted to move along a discontinuous track assembly having longitudinally spaced apart stationary drive portions and to traverse switch gaps or like interruptions of said track assembly, comprising a folding door, motor means carried by and movable with said door, speed reducer means driven by said motor means, an endless chain driven by said speed reducer means, a pair of horizontally spaced apart chain support means carried by said partition in proximate relation to said track said chain being draped over said support means so that a discrete length of said chain is held in meshed engagement with said complemental stationary drive portions of said track, whereby at all times a plurality of longitudinally spaced portions of said chain are meshed with longitudinally spaced drive portions of said track assembly.

5. A powerized accordion folding door assembly comprising a track having a door support surface and a rack portion, a lead post on said door, a motor means in said lead post, a speed reducer carried by said lead post including a worm drive, a power sprocket driven by said worm drive, a pair of idler sprockets in horizontally spaced relation adjacent the upper edge of said lead post, a chain flight meshed with said power and idler sprockets, said idler sprockets supporting horizontally spaced increments of said chain in meshed driving relation with said rack portion, thereby to distribute the driving force exerted against said rack over an area of said chain between said idler sprockets.

6. For use with a partition assembly or the like including a support track having a support surface and having regularly spaced apart lands extending longitudinally of said track, a self-propelled, movable partition member mounted for translatory movement on said support surface of said track, motor means mounted in leading position on said partition member, a chain flight operatively connected to said motor means, and idler means supporting a length of said chain in simultaneous meshed engagement with a plurality of said lands.

7. A foldable door assembly comprising a track, a door member mounted for translatory movement along said track, said member having motor means mounted thereon, regularly spaced toothed members formed on said track drive means operatively connected to said motor means, said drive means including a chain link in driving relationship with said motor means, idler sprocket means carried by said door and supporting a discrete length of chain in meshed relation with said tooth members, whereby a plurality of links of said chain are simultaneously engaged with a plurality of teeth.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,960,860 5/1934 Allen -188 2,015,402 9/1935 Johanson 160189 2,755,081 7/1956 Johnson et al. 268-53 X 2,788,849 4/1957 Lingard 160-188 FOREIGN PATENTS 532,347 1/1941 Great Britain. 540,916 11/1941 Great Britain.

HARRISON R. MOSELEY, Primary Examiner.

P. M. CAUN, Assistant Examiner. 

7. A FOLDABLE DOOR ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A TRACK, A DOOR MEMBER MOUNTED FOR TRANSLATORY MOVEMENT ALONG SAID TRACK, SAID MEMBER HAVING MOTOR MEANS MOUNTED THEREON, REGULARLY SPACED TOOTHED MEMBERS FORMED ON SAID TRACK DRIVE MEANS OPERATIVELY CONNECTED TO SAID MOTOR MEANS, SAID DRIVE MEANS INCLUDING A CHAIN LINK IN DRIVING RELATIONSHIP WITH SAID MOTOR MEANS, IDLER SPROCKET MEANS CAR- 